The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Starting from nothing and putting in relentless work, only to see small glimpses of progress, can be mentally draining. The nagging question, “Is this even worth it?” often creeps in, especially during those tough moments. When that happens, I have to pause, take a breath and reflect on everything I’ve accomplished, even the little wins and remind myself of the passion that first drew me to this career. There have been countless days when I’ve felt overwhelmed, questioning whether I should be doing this at all. Am I being the best mum? Is this job taking time away from making memories with my family? Should I be taking on another job to increase our income? Thankfully, I have an incredible support system that reminds me I am enough and that I *can* do this. Balancing it all is undeniably challenging and it’s also something I’m learning to navigate every day,
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Running your own business is one of the most challenging yet fulfilling experiences you can have (almost like raising kids, right?). One of the things I love most is watching my business grow. Starting from scratch and seeing those numbers rise, whether it’s through orders or social media followers, makes all the hard work feel completely worth it.
Another huge advantage is the relationships you build, not just with your customers and supporters, but with other business owners too. It’s so valuable to be able to ask those niche questions, like, “Do you know a good manufacturer?” or “Where do you get your packing materials?”. It’s comforting to know you’re not alone in navigating the ups and downs of being a small business owner.
And the biggest pro for me? The creative freedom and control over every part of my business. I love choosing the colours and styles of my pieces and designing my website exactly the way I envisioned. It’s a constant lesson in trusting yourself and making decisions with confidence, which is so empowering.
Of course, with all these incredible pros come a few cons. One of the biggest challenges is that you rarely get a true day off. That being said, if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it’s worth it. But, it doesn’t change the fact that it can be mentally exhausting, from making endless decisions, endless sewing to working out tax percentages while juggling family life. It can all get overwhelming at times. But asking for help and allowing myself breaks during those busy moments definitely helps ease the stress.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I definitely want to keep growing and expanding my knowledge about the business and fashion industry. What I’ve definitely learnt throughout this process is that you never stop learning, especially in the fashion industry (I still feel like a fish trying to swim sometimes). I’d also love to branch out into women’s wear with a focus on matching pieces for mums and bubs, but my ultimate dream is to open my own store front. I’m hoping to get there one day soon and in the meantime, I’m going to be chipping away at those smaller goals.
Visit The Fae Poet website to find out more, and connect with them on Instagram and TikTok.
